LOUISIANA. 3 



In November we v/elghed anchor before the 

 Palace *, (which is the name of the town on this 

 ifland) i and the very firil: night of our voyage 

 we had fuch a violent florm on the coaft of Poi- 

 toUy that our little veflel being beat about and 

 furrounded by the waves, we expedled every 

 moment to go to the bottom : The crew confid- 

 ed of a pilot, and three failors from Lower Bre- 

 tany^ who are commonly called Sea-wehes ^ ; 

 and are fo well accuilomed to this element, thac 

 they brave the hardeft weather. The wind hav- 

 ing increafed, our captain was obliged to put in 

 at the If.e de Dieu^ fituated between Poitou and 

 the county d'Aunis. We ilaid there eight days 5 

 at the expiration of which, thefea being calmed, 

 we fet fail again, and continued our voyage to 

 the Ifle of RM', from whence I crofTed a chan- 

 nel of the fea about three leagues broad, that 

 feparates the ille from the continent, and ar- 

 rived at Rochelky and the day after 1 came to 

 RocheforL I was direded to addrefs myfelf ta 

 the intendant of the department of the marine^ 

 who is M. le Norm ant de Mefi^ a man of real 

 merit, and deferving of the place he occupiies^ 

 by his talents and the goodnefs of his heart : he 

 told me, that, as foon as I fhould have equipped 

 itiyfelf for my voyage, I w'as to go to Rochelle^ 

 B 2 and 



* Le Palais'. f Loups de mer: 



